Responding, William Humphrey has said,
"The SDLP's criticism of the 'A Fair Start report' is another example of the SDLP's cynical approach to education. It is the same motivation behind their contributions to the Assembly recall. They have nothing to offer beyond politically motivated attacks.
Let's
examine the facts. A report on Educational Underachievement was part of
the New Decade, New Approach. The previous Minister Peter Weir
implemented this aspect of NDNA within three months of taking office and
the report was finalised within nine months.
Michelle
McIlveen has allocated £4 million for implementing the actions this
year and has asked for an additional £7 million from the Department of
Finance for the coming year, this figure will rise to £37m in 2025.
After just six months the Minister has been able to progress 29 of the
47 actions contained within the recommendations. This is significant
progress, especially whilst dealing with the consequences of a global
pandemic on education.
This can be contrasted to the SDLP's record on educational
underachievement or any other area. They shout from the side-lines yet
don't bring forward a single credible proposal.
The DUP is the only party to have taken action, produced a detailed report on educational underachievement and immediately implemented its recommendations with funding attached to deliver these."